Karnataka: Kumaraswamy to remain CM for five-years, JD(S) gets finance
Ten days after the Congress-JD(S) government was sworn in, the parties successfully reached a power-sharing arrangement yesterday. The former has agreed to let HD Kumaraswamy remain CM for the full five years, and also to give the finance portfolio to JD(S), reports said. Yesterday was a significant day for the opposition: in UP, it wrested the high-profile Kairana seat from BJP in bypolls.
The roads that led to this point
Congress and JD(S) announced an alliance during counting of votes, as BJP shot past them to emerge the single largest party. After week-long drama, which involved BJP's BS Yeddyurappa becoming CM for two days, Kumaraswamy took oath as the new state chief on May 23. Initial reports said Congress-JD(S) will get the CM post for 2.5 years each, and the former will get finance.
Discussions covered portfolios, coordination committee, common minimum program
Intense discussions have focused on assignment of portfolios, formation of a coordination committee, and a common minimum program. The committee will meet regularly to ensure efficient functioning of the coalition. The minimum program will be a distilled version of both parties' poll-manifestos. Amid criticism for the delay, both insisted they were trying to arrive at a written agreement to ensure a stable coalition government.
Farmers turned up the heat on the government
Meanwhile, farmers have kept up the pressure on the government, which had promised a waiver of all loans if it came to power. Incidentally, Yeddyurappa had announced a similar decision hours after taking oath. Reports said this was why Kumaraswamy wanted finance, and why Congress didn't want to pass it on: the latter was apparently looking to announce waivers right before the 2019 elections.
Congress under pressure to sustain its future chances
After taking oath, Kumaraswamy had announced if he couldn't waive loans, he would resign. Congress couldn't afford to lose him if it wanted to stay in power. However, Kumaraswamy isn't exactly known for sticking to his words. Earlier, he had declared JD(S) won't ally with either BJP or Congress. He had claimed he aligned with BJP 12 years ago to save JD(S) from Congress.
Final decisions by the two parties
Before end of negotiations, Congress President Rahul Gandhi, who's in the US for mother Sonia Gandhi's checkup, had a conference-call with leaders Wednesday night. The Congress is now getting the home portfolio. The two have also decided to fight the 2019 polls together.
A lesson for the opposition
A united opposition has seen major wins recently, including in important seats like Gorakhpur, Phulpur and Kairana. But defeating BJP in 2019 is going to need more. In Karnataka, Congress and JD(S) didn't form an alliance till the last minute. It has to ensure such strategies start way earlier. The 2019 results might just depend on how the opposition plans the next year.
